OT - Orlando Florida - ThinnerTimes

Baron Patrick · 07-26-2006, 08:57 AM

Hey all;

I'm taking the family to Orlando for Christmas this year (actually, me, my son and best friend - my wife is going home to the Philippines, it's just not safe for us white guys there, at least right now).

I found a website called www.knowbeforeugo.com They are a tourist info place with discount tickets and stuff. They are offering rental cars as low as $130 for the week through budget rent-a-car. Is this a legit place? The other places I check for a car rental all want $350+ for a week.

Were staying at the Vacation Village at Parkway, about 5 minutes from Disney World. We don't plan on going anyplace else outside WDW except maybe Universal Studios.

If there are any "locals" here, I'd appreciate any and all advise.

Thanks!

Dyann · 07-26-2006, 01:19 PM

Hopefully where you are staying will have bus service to the disney parks every 30 min so you won't need your car. Dress light and eat a good breakfast and wear comfortable shoes. Water is plentiful at the parks at $2/large bottle. Do the fast pass when possible. How long will you be there and how many days do you plan on staying? If multiple days, get a multiday park hopper pass. If you are going to universal, at costco, they sell an $85 unlimited admission pass that is good for 2 or 3 months. Personally, with small kids, we got up early and went to the park until about 3pm. We went to the hotel and took a shower and a nap. We ate a quick dinner and went back at about 7. While the parade is going on, all the rides are empty. That was when we took the kids on all the poplular rides. Don't mind the rain if it happens as it cools you off and it is needed. If a hurricane is coming while you are there, you are more than welcome to spend it with my family!!!

Baron Patrick · 07-26-2006, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyann

Hopefully where you are staying will have bus service to the disney parks every 30 min so you won't need your car. Dress light and eat a good breakfast and wear comfortable shoes. Water is plentiful at the parks at $2/large bottle. Do the fast pass when possible. How long will you be there and how many days do you plan on staying? If multiple days, get a multiday park hopper pass. If you are going to universal, at costco, they sell an $85 unlimited admission pass that is good for 2 or 3 months. Personally, with small kids, we got up early and went to the park until about 3pm. We went to the hotel and took a shower and a nap. We ate a quick dinner and went back at about 7. While the parade is going on, all the rides are empty. That was when we took the kids on all the poplular rides. Don't mind the rain if it happens as it cools you off and it is needed. If a hurricane is coming while you are there, you are more than welcome to spend it with my family!!!

Thanks Dyann -

I appreciate the advise. We live about 45 minutes from Dizzyland, and have been hard-core passholders for years (I grew up in Anaheim). We plan to get the 5 day park-hopper. And we do exactly that, head for the rides during the parade! Especially the big popular ones like thunder mountain, pirates, and indiana jones. Our son is 18, but he's like a little kid when we get in the park! I told him the one thing we are NOT doing is staying at the park from opening to closing - I just can't do it anymore!

If the buses are reliable there (unlike Anaheim where you can't find one), we will do that.

We will be there for 8 days.

How is the weather during that time of year?

Thanks;

patrick

bloomer001 · 07-26-2006, 01:52 PM

I went last spring with my arthritis (lower back, hips and knees) and my Aunt (who has MS) and my mother. I took them for Mother's day. We used the bus system, they were great with my aunt's scooter, always helping, and each bus was handicapped equiped. We had a park hopper pass, would go to the park that opened early for breakfast, stay until about lunch time, go back to the hotel for lunch and then we would all rest by the pool. Around 4 we would head to another park and have an early dinner, to beat the crowds, then when everyone else was waiting in line for dinner, we would hit the rides or shows. It worked great for us! We then went on a Disney Cruise and had the same experience, everyone was just so nice and accomadating for mine and my Aunt's needs. I know you will have a GREAT time!

Dyann · 07-26-2006, 02:06 PM

In December you could get gorgeous 70's during the day and 50's at night or it could be unexpectly cold. No hurricanes in December and it probably won't rain either. Wow...8 days there. I swear you could go to Europe for the cost of 8 days in disney. We went last month and made a bee line for Pirates of the Caribean during the parade and after schlepping all the way to adventure land...It was closed for renovation. It reopened in time for the release of the movie so it must be great now. I think they need to redo the haunted Mansion as it is very dated. You will have time to see all the parks in that timeframe. The Cirque de solee (sp???) is great there in downtown disney. A great place to go at night as well in addition to pleasure island.

KnighTron · 07-26-2006, 02:07 PM

Go to Universal if you have the chance....I liked better than WDW